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Chief invites council tour as staff outline funding options for Fire Station No. 2
Summary
Chief Bushy presented completed designs for Fire Station No. 2 and invited council members on a site tour; staff and council discussed funding options including the building maintenance fund (~$400,000/year), borrowing against the 401 infrastructure fund, possible grants, and asbestos remediation/brownfield eligibility.
Chief Bushy told the council that design documents, specifications and cost estimates for Fire Station No. 2 are complete and invited members to a site tour scheduled after the council meeting next Tuesday.
"The design and specs for that station are complete," Chief Bushy said, and he asked council members to attend the tour to view the existing conditions and review proposed plans.
Council members and staff focused the discussion on funding. Carla and other staff outlined possible sources: the building maintenance fund (receiving about $400,000 annually from Water & Light), the 401 infrastructure fund (an account established from prior special assessments and used for infrastructure), special assessments, grants, or borrowing. Staff said a combination approach — using fund balance and the building maintenance fund to service a loan — is an option under consideration.
Mayor Olstead and others raised asbestos remediation as a potential cost driver; staff said they will contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to assess brownfield eligibility and potential assistance. Reed and Carla said they will compile a clearer five- to 10-year capital plan and return with a funding recommendation and schedule for prioritization.
No formal commitment of funding was made at the work session. Staff said they will bring background documents, historical resolutions about the 401 fund, and refined cost and schedule information to a future meeting to support a council decision.
Next steps: Staff to provide the council with the historical resolutions and accounting related to the 401 infrastructure fund, follow up with MPCA on asbestos/brownfield eligibility, finalize department capital plans and estimates, and schedule the site tour after the regular council meeting next Tuesday.
